Kimberley Barber

People smuggling duo sent to prison

Heartless thieves have stolen raffle prizes donated to raise money for a charity which supports patients at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

The prizes were in a car in Drayton Road, North End, Portsmouth, when it was broken into on Saturday night.

They were due to be raffled off at the Portsmouth Hospitals Charity Wedding Fayre to raise cash for people being treated within Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs QA and St Mary’s.

Items stolen included a £500 Richard Designs lace cathedral veil, a £400 Richards Designs crystal headdress, a £200 Rainbow Club voucher and a £70 crystal necklace and earring set, all donated by designers and wedding companies.

Books of raffle tickets for the event, which is due to take place on Sunday at the Innlodge Hotel, were also stolen, along with items used for Portsmouth Hospitals Charity’s events and a blue cash tin containing £46.

Victoria Greenshields, the fundraising manager for Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, said: ‘It’s upsetting that someone could steal from a local charity, as these events are vital for us to raise funds for important pieces of equipment for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.’

The charity is now urging anyone with information about the stolen prizes or raffle tickets to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101.

It also moved to reassure people that the wedding fair on Sunday will still be going ahead and will be open from 11am until 3pm.

Richard Designs has agreed to provide a new raffle prize for the event, and the charity still has a variety of main raffle prizes, which include four wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, wedding shoes and much more.

However, it said that supporters are unable to receive refunds on raffle tickets sold.

To support Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, visit http://bit.ly/2fup7L1 or contact the fundraising team on (023) 9228 6000 extension 5927 or email fundraising@porthosp.nhs.uk

A police spokeswoman said: ‘Several items from the boot, rear seat and glove box of a Ford Ka were stolen. Anyone with information is asked to call us on 101, quoting 44160419298.’